du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, has announced the launch of du Business’s SME playbook,ย From Set Up to Set for Growth, developed in collaboration with Huawei UAE. SMEs and startups form the backbone of the UAE’s economy, and the guide is designed to help SMEs get more value from the digital tools they already use, simplifying digital transformation and unlocking sustainable business growth through practical, outcome-driven digital solutions.
Industry sources added that the playbook is based on one of the UAE’s most comprehensive SME digital transformation studies, based on face-to-face interviews with 648 SMEs conducted between January and March 2026, spanning all seven emirates and five major industry sectors. The guide combines market insights with actionable guidance across five key areas: strengthening customer engagement, improving productivity, enhancing cash flow, building operational resilience, and adopting artificial intelligence (AI) with confidence.
Industry sources further added that the research found that while digital adoption is widespread among UAE SMEs, digital maturity remains low. Although 81% of businesses use laptops and desktop computers, 77% rely on point-of-sale systems, and 63% use productivity and collaboration tools, only 8% have reached an advanced level of digital maturity. SMEs continue to face common barriers to digital transformation, with 47% citing setup costs, 45% identifying skills gaps, 37% pointing to subscription costs, and 31% highlighting integration challenges.
Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officerย at du,ย said: “Digital transformation is not about adopting more technology; it is about making existing technology work harder for businesses. UAE SMEs have access to digital tools, but many need practical guidance to unlock their full value. Through our partnership with Huawei UAE, we have developed a playbook that helps identify where digital improvements can deliver the greatest impact. From customer engagement and cash flow to resilience and AI, we are providing SMEs and startups with an outcome-driven roadmap they can act on immediately. The playbook reflects du’s commitment to supporting businesses beyond connectivity by providing practical insights, trusted expertise and tailored digital solutions that help SMEs build resilience, improve efficiency and grow with confidence.”
Felix Liu, Managing Directorย ofย Huawei Gulf Carrier Businessย said:” As one of the world’s leading telecom carriers, du in the UAE has taken on the important social responsibility of helping SMEs succeed by delivering better ICT services to fuel their growth. As an ICT solution provider, Huawei supplies high-quality products and solutions that enable du to develop locally tailored SME offerings and drive digital transformation across the UAE market. With a full portfolio of infrastructure, including 5G, optical networks, IP networks, storage, IdeaHub, and cloud, Huawei helps du build a one-stop digital solution for SMEs. This empowers du to offer competitive, value-added services that give SMEs the complete digital capabilities they need to thrive, such as stable connectivity, cloud-based hosting, and intelligent office collaboration.”
Industry sources further confirmed that rather than encouraging SMEs to adopt more technology,ย From Set Up to Set for Growthย helps businesses maximise the value of the digital tools they already have. The guide provides practical guidance on strengthening online presence, centralising customer and operational information, streamlining day-to-day operations, improving payment experiences, protecting data, and using low-risk AI applications to save time without adding complexity. Businesses that plan their digital upgrades with the right partner, the guide emphasises, experience fewer disruptions, less downtime, and more confident decision-making.
The research also highlights the next phase of digital transformation for SMEs and startups. With only 15% of surveyed businesses currently using AI and analytics platforms, the playbook encourages organizations to begin with simple, time-saving applications such as drafting communications, summarizing information and supporting customer interactions.
The launch of the playbook reinforces du’s commitment to helping SMEs and startups simplify digital transformation through practical guidance and tailored digital solutions across connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity and AI. SMEs looking to strengthen their digital capabilities can connect with du Business’s team of SME experts for tailored guidance at du.ae/business.
